TATER TOT CASSEROLE is a creamy, crunchy, and savory comfort food recipe that requires simple and inexpensive ingredients. If you're seeking an easy-to-make dish packed with flavor and a variety of texture in every bite, make the Tater Tot Casserole your next crowd-pleaser.

overhead view of baked Tater Tot Casserole in white rectangular baking dish

Ground Beef and Tater Tot Casserole

Who doesn't love budget-friendly, time-saving meals? Casserole recipes like our Ultimate Chicken Casserole and our Ham and Cheese Pasta Casserole are beloved in this household because just like this Potato and Beef Casserole, they satisfy our comfort food cravings and provide a healthy serving of protein.

To make this recipe you're going to need Tater Tots, ground beef, sour cream, corn, cheese, onion, garlic, mushroom soup and a few herbs.

overhead view of all the ingredients in separate bowls: Ground Beef, Tater Tots, Sour Cream, Corn, Shredded Cheese, Mushroom Soup, Chopped Onion, Minced Garlic, Garlic and Herb Mix

Recipe Ingredients

The full ingredients list can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
The main ingredients in this recipe are the Tater Tots and the ground beef which are a solid base for a comfort food dish. The cheese, soup, corn, garlic, and onions add savory flavor, sweetness, and texture.

Here's a brief overview of the ingredients you'll need:

LEAN GROUND BEEF - This is the base for the casserole, it's the protein portion of the dish, when mixed with garlic, soup, and onion it's also the savory part of the casserole.
ONION - Ground beef and onion go well together, it's the perfect flavor to add. It also keeps the beef from getting too dry.
GARLIC, SALT AND HERBS - This will enhance the flavor of the beef.
SOUR CREAM - Sour cream will thicken the recipe.
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP - It wouldn't be an indulgent comfort food without this addition. The soup will round out the base layer of our ground beef and Tater Tot Casserole.
FROZEN CORN - The corn adds a pleasant sweetness and color to the dish.
CHEDDAR CHEEZE - There's something about baked cheese that everyone seems to love.
TATER TOTS - When done right the Tater Tots become nice and crispy.

Four separate images, each one an overhead view. 1. beef and onion in frying pan. 2. Beef and onion mixed with corn, herbs, garlic, sour cream and mushroom soup. 3. Layer of ingredients from image two added to rectangular baking dish. 4. Cheese added evenly on top.

How to make Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is easy to make and it actually quite difficult to get wrong. Here's an overview of how to make it with full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Add the ground beef and onion to a frying pan. Cook and stir occasionally until the beef has browned.
Add the ranch dressing mix and garlic.
Reduce heat and add the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, corn, and ½ cup of cheddar cheese. Mix together.
Add to a casserole dish. Spread into an even layer, sprinkle on the last half of the cheese and add Tater Tots on top.
Bake for 45 minutes uncovered.

Closeup view of baked casserole, crispy tater tots and cheese.

How to store

This meal can be made now and baked later as a preplanned dinner. Here are a few tips for storing your premade and leftover casserole.

REFRIGERATE - This recipe will last 2 days uncooked and 3 days fully cooked. Remember the ingredients will start to get soggy, the longer you store it making it more difficult to get that crispy top on the Tater Tots.
FREEZE - You can freeze the precooked dish for 3 months before baking.
REHEAT - Reheat this recipe in the microwave for a few minutes or in the oven at 350°F till crisp again. I recommend the oven for the best flavor and texture.

overhead view of baked tater tot casserole in baking dish, next to it a bowl with a serving of the recipe.

Recipe tips

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect casserole:

LEAVE SPACE - Try to keep the Tater Tots from overlapping, if they're piled on one another they will not have a chance to get crispy.
DRAIN LIQUID - After the beef is browned make sure to drain any liquid left behind. If your casserole has too much water, you might end up steaming the casserole into a soggy wet dish.
TASTE AS YOU GO - Add salt, pepper, and herbs to the beef/soup mixture and taste as you go.
EXPERIMENT - Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite variation of this hearty dish. Add green beans in place of corn, add cayenne or black pepper to the beef for a spicy dish, or use cream of chicken in place of Mushroom soup.

Overhead view of the finished casserole with one serving removed and forks in it's place

Sometimes it's nice to indulge in a rich hearty meal that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The Tater Tot casserole does just that and more.